NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas — Chico just might be the capital of Earth when it comes to the utterance of the phrase "It's a small world."

Certainly, the relatively tiny ag spot on Northern California's map is enjoying its moment in the sun (particularly while its native son, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, is practicing in snowed-in Highland Park High's stadium). But at least one Chico State grad, despite the weather and distance, will be in town as another north state representative in support of Rodgers and the Packers against Pittsburgh on Sunday in Super Bowl XLV.

Anne Seymour, a national crime victim advocate now located in Washington, D.C., is a Chico State alum (1979) and former valedictorian of the School of Social Welfare. Her connections to Chico exceed the educational link — she says she worked with Rodgers' father, Ed, at Bernie's Liquor during college and still remembers him.

"We all remember him as being very big, very funny and one of the nicest guys on campus and maybe in the world," Seymour said. "Easy to see where (Aaron) gets his general wonderfulness. So happy for his happiness; nobody deserves it more."

Seymour, who has been in D.C. since she graduated, is the daughter of an Oshkosh, Wis., Packer nut herself. Her father, now 82, will accompany her on Sunday, but she's had plenty of time to brew up her fandom since she relocated to the East Coast.

"When I say I am a 'diehard Packer fan,' that is an understatement," she said. "In D.C., Pack fans have been hanging out together for almost 20 years and we are pretty insane about it all."

Seymour spoke as a general representative of the Packer fan base, particularly on the matter of Rodgers taking over for legendary Brett Favre. Obviously the Chico connection aided in her support of Green Bay's newest starting quarterback (like Rodgers, Seymour also took classes at Butte College), but she also said she was just legitimately pleased with him as a player, regardless of his familiar background.

"When Brett left the team, I felt like a battered woman — loved the man, hated the behavior," Seymour said. "Then with his ongoing shenanigans, I just got over him."

She referenced Rodgers' debut against Dallas, when Favre left injured and Rodgers replaced him to nearly lead the Packers back. That was when Seymour, along with many Packers fans, she said, were sold on Chico's guy.

"I fell in love with (Rodgers). He stepped in with grace and excellence," she said. "What a guy."

She previewed what figures to be about 1/100,000th of the scene at Cowboys Stadium on Sunday, showing off a mutilated Brett Favre jersey that has the F, V and E blacked out to spell "AR" — Rodgers' initials — and Favre's No. 4 crossed over with yellow tape, a written "12" on the white of the number. She'll also have a modified cheesehead rig in tow: Specifically, it's a cheese top hat with an actual cheese grater attached and Steelers logos on the ends of cheese shreds. On top of it all is a photo of Rodgers, captioned with "Great Cheese!"

Topping off all the coincidence, Seymour couldn't help but point out that Rodgers' career pre-NFL had him making stops in places with mascots the same as two NFC North Packer rivals. Minnesota and his high school, Pleasant Valley, and Chicago and Cal each share the same nickname.

"I just love that he was a Viking and Bear before becoming a Packer," she said. "Third time is a charm."